Last year, the men's basketball team went 26-8 with a 12-2 record in conference. They won the conference tournament and an automatic bid in the national tournament as the No. 14 seed, but would fall to FSU in the first round by a score of 86-80.
The team is led by Joe Dooley. Dooley enters his 5th season as head coach for FGCU.
A native of West Orange, N.J., Dooley came in clutch after Andy Enfield's departure for USC.
Prior to his coaching career, Dooley played for George Washington University where he was a four-year letterwinner and started his last two seasons and elected a team captain as a senior.
After his tenure with GW, Dooley began his coaching career as an assistant coach for South Carolina and East Carolina before securing the head coach position for ECU. Dooley lead the program to a 57-52 record over four seasons prior to his stint at New Mexico where he was one of just two head coaches in ECU history to produce a winning record at the D-I level. In his first season at the helm in 1995-96, Dooley also became the winningest first-year head coach in more than 20 years with a 17-11 mark.
In 2007, he was rated the fourth-best recruiter in the nation by Rivals.com for the class that included McDonald's All-American Cole Aldrich and Tyrel Reed. He also brought in future NBA draftees Sasha Kaun and Mario Chalmers. Kansas produced 300 wins, nine straight Big 12 regular-season titles, six Big 12 Tournament championships, six NCAA Sweet 16s, five NCAA Elite Eight appearances and two Final Fours, including the 2008 National Championship.
After his tenure with ECU, Dooley served a three year tenure as an assistant coach with New Mexico and a one year tenure with Wyoming before taking a position as an assistant coach with Kansas. Dooley’s 10 seasons with Kansas yielded nine in which the Jayhawks averaged more than 75 points per contest, including 80 or more three times. Kansas finished in the top three in the Big 12 in scoring seven of 10 years, highlighted by the 2009-10 and 2010-11 campaigns in which it posted a league-high 81.6 and 81.2 points per game, respectively.
In July 2010, Dooley was ranked first in the Top 25 High-Major Assistants by Foxsports.com, which was up from his No. 6 ranking by the media outlet in 2008.
After his 10 year tenure with the Jayhawks, Dooley became head coach for FGCU.
From the first time he set foot on the beach-lined campus, Dooley stressed the importance of filling Alico Arena, and the fans responded during the 2013-14 season as the Eagles posted a season-high-tying 15 home victories inside the friendly confines. A record 73,780 fans – including 13 sellouts, six standing-room sellouts and an average of 4,340 – witnessed Dunk City in action at Alico, roughly 12,000 more than the previous two seasons combined. Dooley completed his first season on the FGCU sidelines in 2013-14, guiding the Eagles to their first A-Sun regular-season championship and first trip to the NIT. FGCU finished the year with a 22-13 record, including a record 14 wins as part of a 14-4 A-Sun mark. The 22 victories were the most in Dooley’s tenure as a head coach, and represented the second-most in FGCU’s Division-I era (2007-08).
In his second season, Dooley posted his second-consecutive 22-win season with FGCU as the Eagles made their third-straight postseason appearance by hosting a CIT (CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament) opening-round game. The Green and Blue finished with a 22-11 overall record, including an 11-3 mark in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
In his third season, Dooley posted his third-straight 20-win season (21-14) with FGCU in 2015-16 as the Eagles won their second Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Championship in four years. FGCU won its third NCAA Tournament game in four years with a 96-65 victory over 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson in the First Four with the 31-point margin of victory in that round of the tournament being the largest in NCAA history. The Eagles would go on to face top-seeded North Carolina in the First Round and trailed by just one at halftime, 41-40, before falling to the Tar Heels in Raleigh, 83-67.
In his fourth season, Dooley was named the A-SUN Coach of the Year and District 3 Coach of the Year after guiding FGCU to a 26-8 record, matching the program’s Division-I single-season wins record and posting the first single-digit loss campaign in the D-I era. The Eagles set a D-I program record for regular-season wins with 23, and finished the A-SUN slate at 12-2 for a program-best .857 winning percentage. Those 12 wins were enough for FGCU to claim its first outright ASUN regular-season title in program history (second overall; shared in Dooley’s first season in 2013-14), and followed it up with a second-straight A-SUN Tournament Championship. The Eagles played their sixth NCAA Tournament game in five seasons after receiving a program-best No. 14 seed and fell just short to No. 3 seed Florida State, the second-tallest team in the nation by a score of 86-80.
With his experience as head coach, Dooley will make other teams aware Dunk City is always ready.
The team has lost eight players: Marc-Eddy Norelia and Demetris Morant have graduated and are playing professional ball overseas in Greece (Morant) and France (Norelia).In his second season, Dooley posted his second-consecutive 22-win season with FGCU as the Eagles made their third-straight postseason appearance by hosting a CIT (CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament) opening-round game. The Green and Blue finished with a 22-11 overall record, including an 11-3 mark in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
In his third season, Dooley posted his third-straight 20-win season (21-14) with FGCU in 2015-16 as the Eagles won their second Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Championship in four years. FGCU won its third NCAA Tournament game in four years with a 96-65 victory over 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson in the First Four with the 31-point margin of victory in that round of the tournament being the largest in NCAA history. The Eagles would go on to face top-seeded North Carolina in the First Round and trailed by just one at halftime, 41-40, before falling to the Tar Heels in Raleigh, 83-67.
In his fourth season, Dooley was named the A-SUN Coach of the Year and District 3 Coach of the Year after guiding FGCU to a 26-8 record, matching the program’s Division-I single-season wins record and posting the first single-digit loss campaign in the D-I era. The Eagles set a D-I program record for regular-season wins with 23, and finished the A-SUN slate at 12-2 for a program-best .857 winning percentage. Those 12 wins were enough for FGCU to claim its first outright ASUN regular-season title in program history (second overall; shared in Dooley’s first season in 2013-14), and followed it up with a second-straight A-SUN Tournament Championship. The Eagles played their sixth NCAA Tournament game in five seasons after receiving a program-best No. 14 seed and fell just short to No. 3 seed Florida State, the second-tallest team in the nation by a score of 86-80.
With his experience as head coach, Dooley will make other teams aware Dunk City is always ready.
Kevin Mickle has graduated and transferred to Ohio University using his last year of eligibility there as a grad student.
Junior Rayjon Tucker transferred to the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.
Junior Maxx Bleecher quit to be with his fraternity and sophomore Rendjis Feikners quit to go back to Latvia.
Junior Reggie Reid transferred to NCAA DII Texas A&M-Commerce.
C.J. Williamson was dismissed prior to last season due to disciplinary reasons and is now playing for NJCAA Chipola College.
This year's squad consists of four seniors, four juniors, five transfers, two sophomores and four freshman.
The four seniors that come into play strongly are as followed: Josh Ko (G), Christian Terrell (G), Antravious Simmons (F) and Brandon Goodwin (G).
First up is Josh Ko.
A 6-1 guard from Kailua, Hawaii, Ko came with a strong purpose and opportunity.
Prior to FGCU, Ko played for the University of Pittsburgh of the ACC his freshman and sophomore years. He played a total of 15 games before transferreing to FGCU as a preferred walk-on. Ko sat out the whole season upon transferring due to the NCAA transfer rules and was listed as a redshirt junior.
In his redshirt junior year, Ko appeared in five games where he had seven points (1.4 PPG), five rebounds (1 RPG), five assists and two steals.
For Ko, he will make his presence known that he's ready for his senior year.
Next up is my best friend Christian Terrell.
The 6-5 guard from Jacksonville, Florida can really bring impact as a 3-point specialist.
In his freshman year, Terrell played in all 33 games with one start. Terrell had 110 points (3.3 PPG), 52 rebounds (1.6 RPG), 26 assists, seven blocks and nine steals. Terrell's hard work earned him a spot for the A-Sun Conference All-Freshman Team and was the first FGCU selection since Bernard Thompson and Brett Comer were selected during the 2011-12 season.
In his sophomore year, Terrell started 24 of his 35 games played backing up Filip Cvjeticanin before being named a starter for the rest of the season. Terrell had 446 points (12.7 PPG), 177 rebounds (5.1 RPG), 82 assists, 13 blocks and 42 steals. Terrell was named on the A-SUN All-Tournament Team for his hard work in the conference tournament.
In his junior year, Terrell's stats dropped a bit. Starting 31 of his 33 games, Terrell had 337 points (10.2 PPG), 105 rebounds (3.2 RPG), 80 assists, eight blocks and 26 steals. Terrell was ranked 4th on FGCU in scoring, 3rd in 3-point percentage (.351 – 53-151) and 3rd in assists.
With his hot shots, Terrell will be making sure that everyone is keeping eyes on him.
You need a guy with a big body and Antravious Simmons is a god fit.
The 6-9 forward from Miami, Florida certainly has the body to box out opposing big men and it shows.
Simmons has more physic to be a football player than a basketball player and arguably it's true. Simmons originally played offensive line in high school before being a basketball player to transform his body better to play basketball.
Prior to FGCU, Simmons played his freshman year for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) of the Atlantic 10 Conference, he played in three games for VCU averaging 0.7 PPG and 0.7 RPG before transferring to FGCU.
In his redshirt sophomore year, Simmon was not originally expected to be eligible to play, but the NCAA gave him a waiver 24 hours before the season started. Simmons started 16 of his 34 games played where he had 269 points (7.9 PPG), 178 rebounds (5.2 RPG), 23 assists, 14 blocks and 14 steals.
In his redshirt junior year, Simmons started 11 of his 34 games played with 185 (5.4 PPG), 117 rebounds (3.4 RPG), 13 assists, six blocks and 10 steals.
With his strong physic, Simmons will show that no one can step up to him in the paint.
Last, but never least is Brandon Goodwin.
A 6-2 guard from Norcross, Georgia, Goodwin came with a opportunity for redemption.
Prior to FGCU this season, Goodwin played his first two years at the University of Central Florida (UCF) of the American Athletic Conference.
In his freshman year as a Golden Knight, Goodwin played in 28 games with nine starts with 83 points (3 PPG), 53 rebounds (1.9 RPG), 49 assists (1.8 APG), one block and 13 steals (0.5).
When sophomore year hit for Goodwin, things turned around. He managed to get 307 points (10.2 PPG), 117 rebounds (3.9 RPG), 127 assists (4.2 APG) four blocks and 37 steals (1.9 SPG) before transferring to FGCU.
After sitting out one whole season because of the NCAA Transfer Rule, Goodwin went off for his redshirt junior year. Starting all 34 games played, Goodwin had the program’s single-season scoring record of 629 points (18.5 PPG), 154 rebounds (4.5 RPG), 139 assists (4.1 APG), two blocks and 41 steals (1.2 SPG). As a result, Goodwin was named 1x A-SUN Player of the Week, a league record 6x A-SUN Player of the Week, a member A-SUN All-Tournament Team, the A-SUN All-Tournament MVP, a A-SUN All-Conference First Team member, a NABC District 3 First Team member and the first unanimous winner of the A-SUN Newcomer of the Year.
For Goodwin, he will make everyone know that second chances can make people stronger.
To back up the seniors, four juniors come in profoundly: Ricky Doyle (F), Michael Gilmore (F), Dolan Mahoney (G) and Zach Johnson (G).
The first of four juniors is Ricky Doyle.
The 6-10 forward from Cape Coral, Florida came with strong local talent.
Prior to FGCU, Doyle spent his first two years at the University of Michigan of the Big Ten Conference.
In his freshman year at Michigan, Doyle started 19 of his 31 games with 190 points (6.1 PPG), 98 rebounds (3.2 RPG), eight assists (0.3 APG), seven steals (0.2 SPG) and 12 blocks (0.4 BPG).
In his sophomore year, Doyle started 11 of his 36 games with 136 points (3.8 PP), 71 points (2 RPG), two assists (0.1 APG), three steals (0.1 SPG) and seven blocks (0.2 BPG) before transferring to FGCU.
Doyle sat out the whole season due last year due to the NCAA Transfer Rule, but you can bet he'll be ready for this season.
Next up is Michael Gilmore.
The 6-10 forward from Jacksonville, Florida came to FGCU, like Goodwin, looking for a second chance.
Prior to FGCU, Gilmore came as a double transfer for Miami and VCU.
After sitting out the whole season while being with the U, Gilmore transferred to VCU.
In his freshman year at VCU, Gilmore played in 25 games with 51 points (2 PPG), 39 rebounds (1.6 RPG), four assists (0.2), six blocks (0.2) and five steals (0.2).
In his sophomore year at VCU, Gilmore produced better numbers. Starting 18 of his 30 games played, Gilmore had 96 points (3.2 PPG), 84 rebounds (2.8 RPG), 12 assists (0.4 APG), seven blocks (0.2 BPG) and 12 steals (0.4 SPG) before transferring to FGCU in the spring.
This season, Gilmore will sit out two semesters per NCAA transfer rules, and will be eligible to begin playing with the Eagles in December of 2017 following completion of the fall semester. He will be eligible for the duration of the 2017-18 season and the entire 2018-19 campaign.
For Gilmore, I'm looking to see him make his debut for FGCU.
A player who I can relate to is Dolan Mahoney.
The 6-2 guard from my town I lived in since I was 9: Bradenton, Florida came to make a difference with FGCU.
Beginning as a walk-on his freshman year, Mahoney played in 10 games with five points (0.5 PPG), one rebound (0.1 RPG), one assist, (0.1 APG) and two steals (0.2 SPG)
In his sophomore year, Mahoney played in five games with five points (1 PPG) and one assist (0.2 APG).
For Mahoney, he will make his presence known to represent Bradenton with ease.
Last but not least is Zach Johnson.
The 6-2 guard from Miami, Florida, Johnson can overcome many odds that fit the eye.
He was originally suppose to play the start of his freshman year at FGCU, but had to medical redshirt, but was able to maintain all four years of elgibility.
In his redshirt freshman year, Johnson went on a tear. Starting 20 of his 35 games, Johnson had 387 points (11.1 PPG), 89 rebounds (2.5 RPG), 115 assists (3.3 APG), 19 blocks (0.5 BPG) and 31 steals (0.9 SPG). Johnson's 387 points set the FGCU freshman scoring record, surpassing the previous mark of 374 by Anthony Banks. Johnson was so successful that he was named a member of the A-SUN All-Freshman Team and the A-SUN All-Tournament Team. Johnson's golden moment was during the Conference Championship finals against Stetson where he made the game saving block to help the Eagles advance to the national tournament.
In his redshirt sophomore year, Johnson had 393 points (11.9 PPG), 93 rebounds (2.8 RPG), 102 assists (3.1 APG), 12 blocks (0.4 BPG) and 45 steals (1.4 SPG). Johnson was ranked 2nd on the team in points and assists.
With his slashing ability and speed, Johnson will give it all he's got.
FGCU managed to ink five transfers to join: Troy Baxter Jr. (F-UNLV), Kyle Hoffman (G- Ottawa/Kansas), Mark Matthews (G- UNCW/USC Aiken), Brady Ernst (F- Iowa State/Indian Hills CC) and Dinero Mercurius (G- USF/UTRGV/Daytona St.)
The first is Troy Baxter Jr.
The 6-8 forward from Tallahassee, Florida came with a good amount of height.
Prior to FGCU, Baxter played his freshman year at UNLV of the Mountain West Conference (MWC). There, Baxter averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game and reached double-figure points four times.
Baxter will be listed as a redshirt sophomore and will have three years of eligibility remaining, but will sit out this season due to compliance with the NCAA Transfer rule, but I assure he will be ready for next season.
Next up is Kyle Hoffman.
The 5-9 guard from Lawrence, Kansas comes to FGCU as a double transfer walk-on.
Prior to FGCU, Hoffman played on the junior varsity team for Ottawa University of the NAIA Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) before transferring to Kansas.
Hoffman will be listed as a redshirt sophomore and will have three years of eligibility remaining, but will sit out this season due to compliance with the NCAA Transfer rule,
Another local product joining the squad as double transfer walk-on is Mark Matthews.
The 6-6 guard from Ft. Myers comes back to his hometown to make his return.
Prior to FGCU, Matthews started his freshman year at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington (UNCW) of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). There, in 23 games played, Matthews had 78 points (3.3 PPG), 37 rebounds (1.6 RPG), 13 assists (0.6 APG), one block (0.1 BPG) and 10 steals (0.4 SPG).
After his freshman year with the Seahawks, Matthews transferred to NCAA DII USC Aiken of the Peach Belt Conference. There, Matthews started 25 of his 26 games played where he had 403 points (15.5 PPG), 208 rebounds (8 RPG), 59 assists (2.7 APG), two blocks (0.1) and 23 steals (1.1 SPG).
Matthews joins FGCU as a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining, but despite transferring from DII to DI, Matthews will sit out this season due to compliance with the NCAA Transfer rule. I can assure that he will bring his local talent to the extreme next season.
The final double transfer joining FGCU to bring height to the depth is Brady Ernst.
The 6-10 forward from Clinton, Iowa came for a recovering redemption.
Prior to FGCU, Ernst started his freshman year at Iowa State of the Big 12 Conference. Ernst saw action in six games before being shut down for remainder of season due to a knee injury.
Hoping for another chance to play, Ernst transferred as a redshirt freshman to Indian Hills Community College of NJCAA Region 11/Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC). There, Ernst started 23 of his 28 games played where he had 263 points (9.4 PPG), 183 rebounds (6.5 RPG), 12 assists (0.3 APG), 31 blocks (1.1 BPG) and nine steals (0.3 SPG).
Ernst joins FGCU as a redshirt sophomore and will have three years of eligibility remaining and is automatically eligible due to the 4-2-4 transfer rule with the NCAA and NJCAA. I look forward to the depth of height he brings for FGCU.
The last of the transfers that is to me the most unique player on the team: Dinero Mercurius.
The 6-4 guard from Orlando, Florida comes to FGCU as a triple transfer (yes, there is such title as a triple transfer) and as a three point specialist.
Prior to FGCU, Mercurius started his freshman year at USF of the AAC. Starting three of his 29 games played, Dinero had 97 points (3.3 PPG), 55 rebounds (1.9 RPG), 21 assists (1.1 AGP) and 11 steals (0.5 SPG).
After transferring to the University of Texas Rio-Grande Valley of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) his sophomore year and sitting out via the NCAA Transfer rule, Mercurius transferred, as a redshirt sophomore, to Daytona State College of NJCAA Region 8/Florida Collegiate School Athletic Association (FCSAA). There, Mercurius had 515 points (17.8 PPG), 132 rebounds (4.6 RPG), 82 assists (3.8 APG), seven blocks (0.2 BPG) and 50 steals (1.7 SPG). Because of his hard work with the Falcons, Mercurius was named to the Mid-Florida Conference First Team.
Mercurius joins FGCU as a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining and is automatically eligible due to the 4-4-2-4 transfer rule with the NCAA and NJCAA.
I look forward to Mercurius opening the banks with his money making 3's.
Two returning sophomores join the fray for FGCU: Raysean Scott Jr. (F) and Christian Carlyle (G).
The first of two sophomores is Raysean Scott Jr.
The 6-7 forward from Compton, California came into play with good measures.
Starting five of his 25 games played as a freshman, Scott had 84 points (3.4 PPG), 52 rebounds (2.1 RPG), nine assists (0.4 APG), three blocks (0.1 BPG) and four steals (0.2 SPG).
With a new style of play, Scott will give it all he's got.
Lastly is Christian Carlyle.
The 6-6 guard from Jacksonville, Florida came as a wild card in the beginning.
In his freshman year, Carlyle played in 20 games with 45 points (2.3 PPG), 21 rebounds (1.1 RPG), 18 assists (0.9 APG), two blocks (0.1 BPG) and eight steals (0.8 SPG).
For Carlyle, he will take the world by storm.
FGCU managed to ink four freshman on the team: Darnell Rogers (G), Ryan McAdoo (G), Brian Thomas (F) and Ryan Roucant (C).
The first of the freshman class is Darnell Rogers.
The 5-2 guard from Baltimore, Maryland came to make a statement. Yes he is considered to be currently the shortest player in the NCAA, but remember the old saying: "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."
Prior to FGCU, Rogers played at Indian Land High School under head coach Nate Smith. There, he was a one-time All-County Lancaster Player of the Year and two-time Region 4-2AA Player of the Year. Rogers also led Indian Land to win its first Region 4-2AA Championship in 30 years and won it again in 2014-15.
Rogers then transferred to Shiloh High School his senior year where he finished as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,776 points.
After graduating, Rogers enrolled at Believe Preparatory School where he averaged 23 points, seven assists and two steals per game.
With his ability, Rogers will make his presence known that he's ready.
Joining FGCU as a preferred walk-on and a basketball blood background is Ryan McAdoo.
The 6-5 guard from Boca Raton, Florida brings NBA blood with him from his father, Bob McAdoo (Yes, the same Bob McAdoo from the 1982 and 1985 NBA Champion L.A. Lakers).
Prior to FGCU, McAdoo played at St. Andrews School under head coach John O'Connell. There, McAdoo averaged 6.2 points, 5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game as a senior and garnered Most Improved Player honors after increasing those numbers from 3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.5 apg and 0.6 spg as a junior.
With his basketball family background, McAdoo will keep the family blood in order.
One player who made the right choice to come to FGCU is Brian Thomas.
The 6-9 forward from Kennesaw, Georgia made the right move by not going to Kennesaw State.
Prior to FGCU, Thomas played for Kell High School under head coach Jermaine Sellers. Thomas was rated a 3-star recruit by Rivals and tabbed as the 16th-best player in the entire talent-laden state of Georgia. Thomas averaged 11 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks per game as a junior and was named an all-region performer the same year. According to HoopSeen.com, Thomas was named as the top recruit in the entire A-SUN Conference.
With his height and blocking ability, Thomas will be the sure factor for the team.
Last, but not least on the team who I knew prior to FGCU is Ryan Roucant.
The 6-10 center from Estero, Florida brings local talent to the mix.
Prior to FGCU, Roucant played for Estero High School under head coach Willie Neal. There, Roucant averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks per game as a junior and was a Summa Cum Laude graduate.
Roucant is a preferred walk-on, but will redshirt to maintain all four years of eligbility.
For Roucant, he will surely bring it on for the locals.
I've hung around some of the greatest players from Dunk City and meeting the new players and getting to know who they are is quite nice.
This season may have some curves and hurdles coming to them, but I know they can bounce back and show what Dunk City is all about.
PC: FGCUathletics.com
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